Seattle police are investigating a shooting that left three people dead and one other critically injured early Saturday morning in the city’s Pioneer Square neighborhood, according to the department.
Officers in the area heard a disturbance shortly after 1 a.m. and responded to the 300 block of 2nd Avenue South.
“I just heard rapid gunfire,” said Damien, who works at one of the bars near the shooting. “It was over just like that, before you know it.”
When officers arrived, they found four unresponsive adults who had been shot.
Police provided medical aid until medics from the Seattle Fire Department arrived.
Despite their efforts, two men and one woman were pronounced dead at the scene.
A fourth victim, a man, was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. The hospital confirmed Saturday afternoon that the man remained critical in the ICU.
Damien says he rushed people who were standing in line outside of bars inside as soon as he heard the gunfire.
“I already made my move,” Damien said. “Everybody who was outside, getting them to safety, close the front door and get everybody back downstairs.”
Detectives from the Homicide Unit and the Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded to the scene to gather evidence and determine what led to the shooting.
The area was secured as part of the ongoing investigation. Emmie Nguyen’s business was behind the crime scene tape. She counted around half a dozen bullet holes outside and inside of her business, Four Diamonds.
“We were freaking out,” Nguyen said. “We were in shock because the whole neighborhood was locked down.”
No arrests have been made, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
Nguyen hopes more attention is paid to her neighborhood as she’s seen and heard shootings, break-ins, and thefts all around her.
“I hope the neighborhood can get safer so people can walk around here more, feeling less scared,” Nguyen said.
Seattle police confirmed that they will have extra foot patrols around Pioneer Square and Lumen Field tonight, as well as extra patrol cars circling the area.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Damien said. “Thinking about the families and how they’re feeling. It’s somebody’s child, somebody’s daughter, somebody’s son, so it’s just crazy how one minute you’re here and the next you’re not, just like that. Within seconds, your life has been taken away.”
Police are asking anyone with information to call the department’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
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